ARE CHRISTIANS TO FEAR GOD?

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Or Is That Only for the Lost?
"Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalms 2:11
Are Christians to fear God? What does "fear" mean? What does it mean to "fear God?" What does the Bible say?
David prayed: "Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." Psalms 86:11
Is this not the prayer of all those who truly seek Him in this late hour? - "O LORD…Unite my heart to fear thy name."
The Case of Matthew 10 & Luke 12:
In this chapter, Jesus is exclusively speaking to His very own disciples. (Are you His disciple?):
"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord...And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:24, 28  What could be clearer?
In Luke 12:1, 4, 5 the Son of God forewarned us:
"...he began to say unto his disciples (not the lost) first of all...And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."
Notice here that Jesus "forewarned" His very own "disciples" and "friends" that it was possible for them to be "killed" by the heavenly Father and "cast into hell" if they feared men more than God. Where does that leave OSAS (once saved always saved)?
Did the Almighty not warn us not to forget Him and to fear Him?
"Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver." Psalms 50:22
The LORD has from the beginning been intent upon His people remembering Him – not forgetting Him.
"But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." Deuteronomy 8:18
"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psalms 9:17
If it were not possible to "forget God", why would such a phrase appear in God's Word? The fact is that one who once knew the LORD can forget Him and "be turned into hell."
"…when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools…" Romans 1:18-32
Note that concerning those He addresses here, the Bible says "they knew God." Romans 1 is a divine discourse on apostasy and reveals the very sins which lead to a departure from the LORD. Here it says that those who once knew the LORD were not "thankful." Personally and openly showing gratitude to the LORD is ultra important. We must incorporate praise and the giving of thanks for all things beloved. If not, our hearts will forget and not remember the LORD our God. May the LORD bless each of us to cultivate a heart full of thanksgiving for all He has done and is doing and will do!
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20
If we do not fear and give abundant thanks to and remember the LORD, we will forget Him.
The truth is, that if I am presently seeking after the LORD's face, I am remembering Him and acknowledging Him in all my ways. If I do not currently possess a thankful heart that hungers and thirsts after His righteousness, I have clearly forgotten Him (Prov. 3:5-6; Matt. 5:6).
"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether." Psalms 19:9
 
Let me stop here and ask you to examine whether or not you truly believe the Bible? The question is not whether or not you say you believe the Bible, but do you really believe it is God's inspired Word and final authority? Do you personally own the truth in your heart? Do the affections of your heart hold His Person and truth as the supreme, highest authority? Have you placed yourself in obedience to and under His divine authority, or, have you forgotten Him? Friend, if after reviewing a preponderance of Scripture, you can still deny that God is holy, to be feared, and requires holiness in all who will be in Heaven, much is lost. Those who are born again have the blessed opportunity and responsibility to live holy before God and to fear Him. Any person who does not believe this and live accordingly, denies Christ and His Word. And, that person makes the Almighty out to be a liar.
Consider what He says:
"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD." Joshua 24:14
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him." Psalms 89:7
"Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." Isaiah 8:13
"Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Psalms 2:11 (Even while in rejoicing we are to fear and tremble.)
Here in the following text, Romans chapter 11, Paul is talking to the Gentile Christians about their position with God and using the originally chosen Jews as an example as covenant people who had been "cut off" from relationship with God:
"Thou (Gentiles) wilt say (boastfully) then, The branches (Jews) were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches (the Jews), take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Romans 11:19-22
What does the word "fear" mean?
What does it mean to "fear God?"
Here is Romans 11, PHOBEO is the Greek word for "fear." According to the Strong's Concordance, this Greek word PHOBEO means "to frighten, to be alarmed; to be in awe of, revere (+sore): afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence."
Any leader who does not teach the fear of the LORD is a wolf. Run or your life beloved.
Some sound very pious when they say that love should be the greatest motivator toward God. According to numerous Bible verses, FEAR, like love, is indeed a legitimate motive or reason for serving God (Jude 22-23). Jesus told His Twelve when they were about to go out: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28) The apostle Paul wrote: "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches (Jews), take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." (Rom. 11:20, 22).
A life that is not holy unto the Lord is clear proof that we do not fear God. The person who does not fear the LORD is not afraid of nor in awe of His Majesty.
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
The fear of the LORD is something that must be chosen by the individual and will determine one's eternal destination. Fearing God never happens by accident.
"For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." Proverbs 1:29-33
There is great reward in learning to fear the LORD:
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life." Proverbs 22:4
According to Proverbs 22:4, what are the resulting blessings of fearing the LORD?
•   "Riches"
•   "Honour"
•   "Life"
PRAYER: Unite my heart to fear Thy holy name Jesus! Quicken my spirit in Your holy fear. Fill me more and more with Your precious grace, which You provided through Jesus Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross. Father in Heaven I so deeply thank You this moment for the myriad of Your innumerable blessings to us! Seizing this moment, I lay my life in Your hands afresh Jesus! I know You are coming soon! I love You my LORD. Amen.
 

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